On February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, pessimistic expectations prevailed in many Western capitals: it was believed that Kyiv could fall within days. The aggressor’s army of nearly half a million troops, backed by air, tanks, missile forces, and a navy, seemed invincible.
However, Ukraine’s resilience-military, political, and psychological-came as a surprise to the world. According to American author Tom Ross in his article for Newsmax, the transformation of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) under the leadership of Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov played a major role in this.
GRM as a key to sustainability
Even before the invasion, Budanov was one of the few high-ranking officials who publicly warned that Russia was preparing for a large-scale attack. At the time, these statements were considered too alarmist, but events proved them to be true.
After being appointed as the head of the DIU, he relied on the creation of mobile special forces, the development of guerrilla networks in the occupied territories, and the use of innovative technologies. Already in the first hours of the war, it was the DIU units that thwarted Russia’s plan to seize the airport in Gostomel, which would have opened the enemy’s way to Kyiv.
Subsequently, intelligence organized bold operations – from helicopter flights to blockaded Mariupol to deliver medical supplies and evacuate the wounded to engaging Russian ships in the Black Sea. Ukrainian engineers created the Magura V5 maritime drone, which proved effective against Russian Black Sea Fleet ships, and modernized air defense systems to destroy Russian aircraft.
Global dimension of operations
The GUR conducted targeted strikes in Russia at a distance of up to 2,000 kilometers from the front, destroying strategically important aircraft and factories. At the same time, Ukrainian intelligence cooperated with opposition groups in Russia itself, which organized raids in the border regions.
At the same time, Budanov remained not only a strategist but also a field commander, personally participating in combat operations, in particular during the liberation of Ruska Lozova near Kharkiv.
A separate area of its activity was the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners of War, which helped to return thousands of Ukrainian military and civilians from Russian captivity.
The American factor
The author emphasizes that the success of the GUR would not have been possible without close cooperation with the United States. The exchange of intelligence, access to satellite and technical resources, and material support have created the preconditions for Ukraine’s asymmetric advantage over Russia.
According to Ross, the meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in Washington on August 18, 2025, was a symbolic confirmation that the future of the war depends on the extent to which the United States maintains political unity and readiness to support Kyiv.
Who is the author
Tom Ross is an American businessman and politician. He is a former member of the National Committee of the Republican Party of the United States. He is a regular commentator on international politics and America’s role in the world. His views reflect a conservative perspective, with an emphasis on the need for strong American leadership.
What is Newsmax
Newsmax is an American conservative media outlet founded in 1998 by Christopher Reddy. It is headquartered in Florida. The publication has a website with more than 25 million monthly visitors and Newsmax TV, which actively competes with Fox News for the audience of conservative voters.
During the presidency of Donald Trump, Newsmax became one of the main voices of support for the Republican administration. Today, the publication publishes news, columns, and analysis on politics, economics, international relations, and security.
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